Troops Parade Through Colchester

Part of Essex was awash with crowds and Union Jack flags earlier as the 16 Air Assault Brigade marched through town.

More than 600 troops who've just returned from Afghanistan were exercising their Freedom of Borough of Colchester.

The parade was led by The Band of The Parachute Regiment starting on East Hill, along the High Street, then down North Hill.

16 Air Assault Brigade, based at Merville Barrack, was granted the Freedom of Colchester in February 2008, and has exercised it once before in July 2009.

Brigadier James Chiswell MC, who commanded the brigade in Helmand said: "The support that Colchester has provided to troops and their families every time we have deployed on operations has been phenomenal."

"To know that the town is part of the team was an enormous source of strength for us during the recent tour of Afghanistan... the parade demonstrates the value we place on links with the town we are proud to call home."

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